Facing increasing scrutiny over its health policies, the Navy is shifting course and considering whether to test its workers who might have been harmed by the highly toxic metal beryllium.
Navy officials said they are studying whether to routinely give blood tests to those exposed to the lightweight material, which has long been used in weapons systems and whose toxic dust has killed or injured hundreds of workers in other industries.
The Tribune reported last month that beryllium dust has been detected at 73 Army, Air Force and Navy facilities in 23 states, with some exposure levels twice the legal limit. Despite the risks, the Department of Defense has ignored federal health guidelines by not providing blood tests to those who might have been exposed.
Following the newspaper’s report, several members of Congress called for the Defense Department to test military personnel. In recent days, Navy officials have gathered data from beryllium experts and held meetings to discuss the hazards.
Dr. John Muller, a Navy physician researching the issue for the service, said that testing has value but that questions remain, including who should be tested and how often.
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“It’s not as simple and straightforward as it might seem,” he said.
The Defense Department has resisted such testing for years, fearing it could lead to expensive lawsuits, Pentagon records show.
In solid form, beryllium appears to be safe. But when the metal is machined, sanded or otherwise altered, the resulting dust can cause an often fatal lung disease. Studies show that about 3 percent of those exposed develop the illness, sometimes decades after their last exposure.
Dr. Lee Newman, a beryllium expert at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, said the Navy contacted him about the hazards and appeared serious about addressing the issue.
“They sounded like they have rolled up their sleeves,” he said.
The Defense Department estimates that nearly 7,000 workers in the Navy may have been exposed to beryllium dust in the last 10 years. The dust has been found at 51 Navy sites.
The Navy has used beryllium in aircraft brakes, electrical components and dental work. A recent Defense Department report to Congress said a dozen Navy job categories are high risk for beryllium exposure. Two jobs–“dental lab operations” and “heat treating”–have shown average beryllium dust levels above the federal legal limit.
The Army said it was not considering testing workers, and the Air Force did not respond to questions about testing.
While the Defense Department reports that only one of its workers has developed beryllium disease since the 1940s, studies show the illness is often misdiagnosed or goes undetected.
The Energy Department, which has used beryllium in nuclear weapons, has tested thousands of its workers, finding hundreds with beryllium disease or blood abnormalities linked to the illness.
The tests are recommended by federal agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Though beryllium disease is incurable, early detection allows for treatments that can attempt to limit lung damage.